The only welterweight to not make Conor Benn’s post-fight roll call also is the only one calling for a showdown.
Lewis Crocker was understandably befuddled to hear Benn rattle off a slew of American fighters for his expected return to the 147lbs division. The second-generation boxer specified WBC titlist Mario Barrios, WBA beltholder Rolando “Rolly” Romero, Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney following his revenge-fueled points win over Chris Eubank Jnr on Saturday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London.
The inclusion of Haney, 32-0 (15 KOs), but not WBO titlist Brian Norman Jnr, 28-0 (22 KOs), was noticeable, though understandable from a noteriety standpoint. Not quite as forgivable – at least to Crocker – was the failure to call for an all-UK showdown with the Belfast native’s IBF title at stake.
“How the fuck was my name not even mentioned post-fight,” Crocker wondered aloud after the DAZN Pay-Per-View headliner. “I’m one of only two UK world champions [at the moment] and at that, I’m the only welterweight world champion. And Barrios is being brought up; as a fellow Matchroom Boxing fighter I’m not even being spoke about?”
Crocker, 22-0 (11 KOs), is the only notably welterweight not involved in a scheduled fight or active talks.
Reports have suggested that Barrios and Garcia remain in negotiations for a targeted 2026 1st quarter showdown. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman even took the step of removing Garcia from its banned list, though work remains to be done to finalize the fight.
As reported by BoxingScene, Romero, 17-2 (13 KOs), was not only ordered to next face mandatory challenger Shakhram Giyasov, but the negotiation deadline has now passed and the matter is destined for a purse bid hearing.
Haney challenges for Norman’s WBO 147lbs title this Saturday as part of the Ring IV show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Given the forecast, a Crocker-Benn clash would make sense – and dollars, from a commercial perspective.
“Let’s do this,” insisted Crocker. “The UK fans deserve this.”
Crocker claimed the vacant IBF title reign following a repeat win over Paddy Donovan, 14-2 (11 KOs), in their September 13 rematch in Belfast. A title eliminator between Donovan and Australia’s Liam Paro is set for January 16 in Brisbane, Australia. However, Crocker is afforded a voluntary defense before he will be ordered to face the Donovan-Paro winner later next year.
